This article examines the differences in educational outcomes between students attending schools in rural areas and those enrolled in urban schools in Colombia. Using microdata from the 2006, 2009 and 2012 PISA surveys, we find that educational outcomes of rural students are worse than those of urban ones. In order to identify the factors underpinning this differential, we apply decomposition methods and we find that most of the differential is attributable to family characteristics as opposed to those of the school. Our evidence supports the need to complement actions addressed to rural schools with policies improving household conditions.